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DPRK launches anti-Zika campaign

Xinhua, February 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has started a campaign to keep out the rapidly spreading Zika virus, the official KCNA news agency reported Friday.

Measures taken by the government included informing the public about the disease and strict inspection at quarantine stations in border areas for travelers and cargoes from infected places, the state media said.

Health workers are offering information on the cause, danger and preventive measures of the virus to local citizens, especially to pregnant women.

Zika is a virus transmitted by the Aedes mosquito. It was first discovered in 1947 in the Zika forest of Uganda. The virus is suspected of causing infected pregnant women to give birth to babies with microcephaly.

The Zika outbreak has reportedly affected more than 30 countries, and the World Health Organization said on Feb. 12 that Zika vaccines are at least 18 months away from any large-scale trials.

No infection case has been found in the DPRK so far, the report said. Endi